Historic Firearms & Early Militaria

Historic Firearms & Early Militaria

Wednesday, October 30, 2019  |  10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
Historic Firearms & Early Militaria

Historic Firearms & Early Militaria

Wednesday, October 30, 2019  |  10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
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Description

Cowan's is proud to present a diverse October auction that encompasses several hundred years of collecting arms & armor. From the Collection of Peter Wainwright, we present a rare 16th Century Chamfron as well as a very important Factory Inscribed Smith & Wesson M&P with presentation to General Jonathan M. Wainwright. Other highlights from this auction include several early Basket-Hilt swords, Germanic wheel locks as well as an extremely early serial number Colt Thompson Sub-Machine Gun S/N 91.

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Bucks County Flintlock Kentucky Fowler From French Musket Parts

Lot # 1 (Sale Order: 1 of 370)      

.72 caliber, 43.125" barrel, no S/N. A solid example of a "Kentucky Fowler," in this case an American restocked flint longarm from French Parts, in a Bucks County style. The gun measures 59" in overall length, with a 43.125" pinned, round, smoothbore barrel. In the classic Kentucky Fowler form, the gun incorporates a fixed notch rear sight 7.125" from the breech, in conjunction with a 1" long, brass blade front sight, located 1.125" from the muzzle. The use of this type of rear sight on smoothbore longarms is typical of the "Kentucky"-style fowler, which was typically produced without a patchbox and with a rounded triggerguard. The smooth bore measures about .72" and appears to be a repurposed French musket barrel. It is marked with a large B and P under the barrel and has had four small pin tenons dovetailed into the bottom surface. The only external marking on the barrel is a small 73 at the left breech, possibly indicating the year the barrel was produced (1773). The lock is a repurposed French military musket lock that appears to be from a Model 1763/66 musket. The lock plate is flat, measures the standard 6.3125" of a M1763/66 lock, and has the usual teat at the rear of the plate. The lock utilizes a removable, fenced and bridled iron pan and a flat, beveled, reinforced cock. The frizzen shows a wonderful period refacing, indicating a service life that required the steel to be resurfaced to keep the gun in operation.

The lock is marked in script Maubeuge, indicating that is was produced at the Maubeuge Arsenal, and is additionally marked with a */B inspection between the cock and the pan. The inside of the lock is marked with a P and an R inspection mark. The lock is retained by two lock screws that pass through a 5.5" long, flat brass side plate that is typical of mid-to-late 18th century Pennsylvania-made long arms. The relief cast, rounded brass triggerguard is likely of English or Continental origins and incorporates classical motifs with some flowing foliate scrolls and an urn shaped finial. Inside the triggerguard is an iron trigger, suspended from a stock pin, that has a substantial reward curl at its end. The buttplate appears to be an American-made copy of the simple furniture often found on French fusils. It is secured by two screws through the bottom and has a stepped, geometric tang that is roughly 3.5" in length and terminates in a point. A 1.125" sheet brass reinforcement is present at the forend to reduce the possibility of the stock splitting. The design does not use an actual nose cap, simply this reinforcing strip. The only other furniture are two sheet brass ramrod pipes and an entry pipe. The two upper pipes measure 2.25" and 2.125" respectively, are somewhat crudely formed and have baluster turned rings near their ends. The entry pipe is 3" in length and has matching baluster turned rings. The pipes retain a 42.625" wooden ramrod that shows some decent age and wear, which may or may not be original to the gun. The two lock screws and the tang screw are handmade of the period and fit the gun and their associated parts perfectly.

While the lock and barrel are of French origin and the triggerguard appears to be a non-American made piece as well, the rest of the furniture appears to be American made, and there is no doubt that the stock is also of American origin. It retains the distinctive Roman nosed profile of French fusil stocks that were adopted by the Pennsylvania gunmakers, who made it a distinctive feature of the Golden Age Kentucky Rifle. The gun has a graceful 1.125" drop at the comb, a 3" drop at the heel and a relatively short 13" length of pull from the center of the buttplate to the iron trigger. While the butt retains the basis of the graceful French lines, they are executed in a very workman-like fashion and overall the stock is slightly blockier and sturdier than an original French fusil stock, although the wrist remains fairly slender. The stock does not incorporate the pronounced rail to the butt, commonly found on French-made fusils. The stock shows some simple incised line carving that mimics the English "beaver tail" apron around the tang and which is also present in a double line from the lock to the entry pipe on each side of the stock. This style of decoration is another feature indicative of guns built in the Bucks County region of Pennsylvania. The gun is handy and well balanced, weighing in at a about 7.5 pounds, about three-quarters of the weight of a period military musket.

Condition: Very good. For specific condition details, please go to cowans.com.

EST $2000 - 3000...more

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Short Land Pattern Brown Bess Musket

Lot # 2 (Sale Order: 2 of 370)      

.75 caliber, 42" pinned barrel, no S/N. Brown finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. 6.875" reconverted "single screw," long sear spring, pre-1777 flint lock marked TOWER in a vertical arc at the tail with weak engraved {CROWN}/GR below the pan. Breech of barrel with British military proof and inspection marks, including a {CROWN}/GR/{ARROW} and {CROWN}/{CROSSED SCEPTERS}. Weak crowned inspection marks behind triggergard and in ramrod channel. Flat 6.25" 1769 pattern side plate. Three ramrod thimbles and one entry pipe, front thimble flared, second thimble without the post-1777 Pratt's Improvement. Bayonet lug on top of barrel 2" from muzzle. Stock with well-defined apron around tang, moderate swell at the entry pipe and pronounced rail at comb. Acorn-shaped brass thumb plate is not engraved. Includes an old iron ramrod that may be a period replacement, a replaced lower swivel, upper swivel missing. A solid representation of a pre-1777 short land pattern "Brown Bess" that would be improved with a better reconversion of the lock, that would display well without having to spend five figures to get a full-length Bess for your Revolutionary War collection.

Condition: Good. Barrel with what appears to be an old applied chemical brown mixed with some surface oxidation and age discoloration. Barrel mostly smooth with scattered roughness and some scuffed tool marks just behind the palm swell. Touchhole bushed with moderate oxidation and wear from percussion use. Lock reconverted to flint with welded pan and replaced external flint battery and hammer. Lock markings weak. Mechanically functional, moderately oxidized bore. Brass with a medium golden patina. Stock fine with scattered handling marks, bumps and dings, but free of any splices or significant repairs. Missing upper barrel pin.

EST $2500 - 5000...more

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Raised Carved Kentucky Rifle By George Schreyer

Lot # 3 (Sale Order: 3 of 370)      

.44 caliber, 40" wedge-retained octagonal barrel, .46" across the flats, no S/N. Browned finish, brass furniture, maple stock. Top of barrel signed in script G. Schyroyer (Schreyer / Schryer). George Schreyer worked in Reading, PA circa 1758-1768, eventually moving to the Abbotstown area ca 1800. (Sellers) 5.125" long unmarked flat replacement lock with pointed tail made by Carl Pippert with a removable faceted, bridled and fenced iron pan with flat beveled swan necked cock. Barrel appears to be a re-conversion to flint from a percussion drum alteration, with the lock a perfectly fitted more recent replacement. Bore rifled with seven deep, narrow grooves. Iron trigger with rearward curl. Simple fixed notch rear sight 9.125" from the breech with a dovetailed brass blade front sight 1.5" from the muzzle. A lovely, early raised carved rifle with a 1.7" wide butt and raised carved cheek rest with simple rococo foliate detail. Stock additionally with simple but elegant raised carved moldings around the lock and side plate, a foliate apron beneath the barrel tang at the top of the wrist and a more elaborate foliate apron carved around the entry pipe. Forend with simple incised lines carved along the line of the barrel tenons and stock wedges. Brass furniture includes a simply engraved four-piece "Daisy Head" patch box with release button in top of buttplate, two-piece buttplate with separate toe plate, 5" long geometric Pennsylvania style two-screw side plate, semi-pistol gripped skeletonized triggerguard and 1.25" nose cap. Old wood ramrod is retained by two faceted pipes with baluster turned ends and an entry pipe of the same pattern. A wonderful example of a carved long rifle with an outstanding stock in a fine state of preservation that likely dates from the last quarter of the 18th century.

Provenance: Property from the Estate of Lewis W. Walker, Jr., Hudson, OH

Condition: Fine. Barrel evenly and moderately oxidized with a dark brown patina. A small portion of the upper barrel flat was lightly cleaned long ago to make the signature more legible. Lock needs mechanical attention as the sear or tumbler is too worn to reliably hold any position. Bore fair, heavily oxidized and very dirty. Brass furniture with a medium golden patina indicative of an old cleaning now toning down. Stock fine, lightly cleaned and remaining in wonderful condition that is free of the repairs that are universally present in rifles from this period. Forend remains solid and free of splices or repairs. There is a small surface grain crack on the obverse of the butt, below the patchbox. Otherwise the stock retains crisp lines and carving and shows only some lightly scattered handling marks and minor mars. A fantastic early flintlock rifle with a wonderful look, made by a master craftsman.

EST $15000 - 25000...more

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Flintlock Pistol With Nock Lock

Lot # 4 (Sale Order: 4 of 370)      

.52 caliber, 7.75" pinned round barrel, no S/N. Bright finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. 5.125" flat commercial flint lock marked NOCK under the integral iron, rounded and fenced un-bridled pan. Flat beveled swan neck cock. Lock appears to be in original flint confirmation, but also appears to be a replacement in the pistol as the lock mortise shows more recent wood work to make the internal parts of the lock fit and function in the wood. Counterpane is branded twice with the letters LMI, upside down, the meaning of which is not known. Simple commercial brass furniture is limited to the triggerguard, ramrod thimble and entry pipe. Two side nail ferrules are used instead of a side plate and there is no butt cap. Wooden ramrod is a more recent replacement. An interesting pistol that may be of American origin with an English commercial lock that probably dates to the first quarter of the 19th century.

Provenance: From the collection of Peter Wainwright Jr.

Condition: Good. Metal cleaned to bright, lock mechanically functional. Bore moderately oxidized with dirt and rust. Stock with numerous scattered bumps and dings, scattered dents and mars and some wood loss around the pins.

EST $500 - 700...more

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Stag Handled Hand Forged Bowie Knife

Lot # 5 (Sale Order: 5 of 370)      

9.5" clip point blade, 1.5" wide at widest point with a 2" false edge, 14.5" in overall length. Full-length tang, pinned 4.125" stag scales. 

Provenance: Property from the Estate of Lewis W. Walker, Jr., Hudson, OH

Condition: Very good. Metal with forging and tool marks, blade lightly sharpened, with scattered surface oxidation and a mottled brown and gray patina. Stag scales with nice age and a mellow patina.

EST $1500 - 2000...more

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Pipe Tomahawk

Lot # 6 (Sale Order: 6 of 370)      

17.5" x 8.5".  Head with 1.125" deep bowl, blade measuring 3.25" at widest point.

Provenance: Property from the Estate of Lewis W. Walker, Jr., Hudson, OH

Condition: Head has a dark patination with some pitting from age throughout.  Underside of haft shows 4" stable split with an additional split the length of the piece with some missing wood at bottom.  Despite wood imperfections, the haft is stable and is not particularly fragile or in danger of disintegration.

EST $3000 - 5000...more

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Engraved French And Indian War Powderhorn Dated 1759

Lot # 7 (Sale Order: 7 of 370)      

15" length, the original wood base held by wood pegs.  Engraved with ship and British flag, floral designs, a whimsical character holding a fish in one hand and the other a horn and houses.   5" smooth rounded spout with two raised rings, engrailed edge.  Engraved name, "Cornelius Cerner His horn Agust 17 Anno 1759".  The horn also has a set of initials I.(J.)R.

Provenance: Property from the Estate of Lewis W. Walker, Jr., Hudson, OH

Condition: The horn is in excellent condition with a nice untouched dark amber to brown patina.  The wood base has nice untouched patina. Engraving is nicely done.  A great piece of folk art.

EST $3500 - 6500...more

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Engraved Powder Horn Adam Fischer Merlend 1775

Lot # 8 (Sale Order: 8 of 370)      

14" length, engraved edge with a smooth spout and raised ring 1.625" from the spout.  Engraved "Adam Fischer Merlend 1775, Liberty Braberdy or Death". Close to the base "Kil or Be Kiled".  Engraved with floral designs, an anchor, ship, crown, pistol, tomahawk, and knife.  Border designs around the engraved edge and around the base. Missing the wood base. Original iron wire staple for shoulder strap.

Condition: Horn with nice dark amber to brown patina.  

EST $2500 - 5000...more

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Engraved Powder Horn Attributed to Ephraim Guthrie, 1776

Lot # 9 (Sale Order: 9 of 370)      

11.5" x 3.5".  Wood plug with wood stopper, leather lanyard, and horn tip powder measure.  Engraved throughout with floral themes and hearts including some game birds. One name appears "EPHRAIM G" in one line, appearing to have stopped before darker section of horn.  Artist may have continued in a new section, as the name "EPHRAIM / GUTHRIE" appears in two bracketed lines on a lower section of the piece.  Date "1776" appears on the upper portion of the horn, which, due to the location and style of the carving, may have been added later.  Plug appears to be carved "EG" with "DG" visible if the horn is turned upside-down.

An Ephraim Guthrie (1737-1809) appears in records pertaining to Durham Connecticut, alongside a son Daniel (1764-1841).  Ephraim appears to have served during the French and Indian War with a 1758 enlistment paper stating his residence as New Milford, Connecticut.  His regiment, the Fourth Connecticut Regiment of Foot was placed under the command of Colonel David Wooster (a future American General), for the purpose of invading Canada.  It participated in the disastrous attack on Fort Carillon (Ticonderoga) where British forces under the Command of General James Abercrombie suffered heavy losses against a defending French garrison of significantly smaller size.  Guthrie is also believed to have served against the British during the American Revolution.

Condition: Warm caramel coloration to bottom area of horn tapering to a dark gray.  Carvings are legible and retain good detail.  Plug is tight and does not appear to have any serious cracks or splits.

EST $1000 - 2000...more

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1777 Dated Engraved Powder Horn With Masonic Emblems

Lot # 10 (Sale Order: 10 of 370)      

13" length, smooth spout with a brass spout. Smooth body with fluted edge blending over to the smooth spout. Wood base plug with an iron ring. Engraved with compass and square, sword to heart, three tapers, beehive, the name "Samuel Adams", the sun, and moon.

Condition: Horn has a nice untouched dark patina. Excellent overall with nice Masonic association.

EST $1500 - 3000...more

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1758 French & Indian Wars Carved Flat Sided Horn,

Lot # 11 (Sale Order: 11 of 370)      

8.5" length with an octagonal spout, signed D.M. and dated 1758 inside the perimeter of a six-point rosette. Opposite side initialed J.P. and dated 1840 inside the perimeter of a six-point rosette. One edge engraved with a firearm and opposite edge with an ax. Complete with an engrailed edge. Overall length 9". (Pictured on p. 215 in Johnston, James R. Accouterments III. Golden Age Arms Co., 1995.)

Condition: Very nice dark brown patina. Overall excellent.

EST $1500 - 2500...more

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Revolutionary War Engraved Powder Horn of Robert Burns,

Lot # 12 (Sale Order: 12 of 370)      

12.5" length. Left-handed horn with light honey-to-dark brown color. Engraved Robert Burns His Horn 1775. Intricate engravings in lines and undulating patterns around the owner's name. (Illustrated in Swayze, 1978: 130-131, fig 34)

Robert Burns served as a private in Captain David Speer's Company of Colonel Charles Pynchon's Regiment Massachusetts Militia which marched on the alarm to Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. He served for 22 days. At present, nothing more is known of Burn's Revolutionary War service.

Condition: Horn showing nice aged patina. Excellent condition.

EST $3000 - 5000...more

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Josiah Morris His Horn Engraved Powder Horn Dated 1775,

Lot # 13 (Sale Order: 13 of 370)      

8.6" length, small horn from New England with two engrailed edges, notched around at each step level. The neck is a dark greenish brown, contrasting nicely with the handsome amber-colored lower area. Engraved around the upper edge of the amber area is the legend Josiah Morris His Horn Made at Roxbury AS 1775. Some of the randomly located engravings are 1) a large ship, 2) two geese in flight, 3) a wind mill, 4) a colonial soldier, 5) a whaling boat and crew with a whale on their line, 6) two birds that are perched, 7) a town hall/church with steeple and two adjacent houses, 8) three additional but smaller whales, and 9) a plain view of a fort with a flying flag. The horn has an unadorned, rounded base plug, with 1" wide staple strap. The horn is attached to the base plug with four wooden pegs. Diameter 2.4". There is considerable Morris family genealogy relating to Roxbury, Massachusetts found online, but nothing specific about Josiah Morris. In the wake of Lexington and Concord, Roxbury in 1775 became the rallying point for the Patriot cause with troops assembling there along with supplies and a hospital depot.

Condition: This is an outstanding engraved powder horn, with nice untouched patina. More than likely a priming horn and part of a set.

EST $2000 - 3500...more

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Folk Art Carved Powder Horn Identified to John Attwood, 1777

Lot # 14 (Sale Order: 14 of 370)      

A folk-style engraved powder horn that measures 11.25" through the curve.  A floral engraved pattern near the wood base and the engrailed edge.  The horn proper has several and various styled primitively engraved buildings.  Engraved in a border above the buildings "John Attwood his home" over "AD 1777" over "when this you see remember mee."  Smooth throat to spout.  Missing the wood base and pegs.

Condition: The horn proper displays a deep yellow to mustard patina with sharp and crisp engravings.  The spout has a dark brown patina with some wear near the edges.  Nicks and dings with a split in horn running from the base towards the middle of the horn proper.  

EST $2000 - 4000...more

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British India Pattern "3rd Model" Brown Bess

Lot # 15 (Sale Order: 15 of 370)      

.75 caliber, 39.25" pinned barrel, no S/N. Bright finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Lock marked in a vertical TOWER in an arc at the tail and with the {Royal Crown} / VR forward of the hammer. A small {Crown}-{Broad Arrow} inspection mark is present under the pan. Left breech with British military proofs, obverse stock with {Crown}-{Broad Arrow} storekeeper's mark dated 1805. Counterpane with inspection marks including a deep "SC." Lock with rounded, reinforced cock. Sling swivels replaced, lower triggerguard tang screw replaced, retains original iron ramrod. A solid example of 3rd Model Bess that could have seen service during the Napoleonic Wars or the War of 1812.

Condition: Good. Metal with a thick brown patina and even pitting from poor storage. Mechanically functional, moderately oxidized bore. Wood crisp with scattered bumps and dings.

EST $1000 - 2000...more

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Belgian Contract British India Pattern "3rd Model" Brown Bess

Lot # 16 (Sale Order: 16 of 370)      

.72 caliber, 39.125" pinned barrel, no S/N. Bright finish, brass furniture, hardwood stock. Lock reconverted to flint with TOWER in a vertical arc at the rear and {Crown} / VR forward of the hammer. A small {Crown} / {Broad Arrow} is stamped under the pan. Barrel with both Liege and Birmingham proof marks. Sling swivels, replacement ramrod.

Condition: Good. Metal cleaned to bright with most marks legible and scattered areas of pitting and wear. Mechanically functional, cock and pan replaced, some small lock parts replaced. Bore fair, very dirty and oxidized. Stock with scattered bumps and dings and an 8" crack extending from the counterpane diagonally to the barrel channel.

EST $700 - 1000...more

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British India Pattern "3rd Model" Brown Bess

Lot # 17 (Sale Order: 17 of 370)      

.75 caliber, 39.25" pinned barrel, no S/N. Bright finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Lock marked in a vertical TOWER in an arc at the tail and with the {Royal Crown} / VR forward of the hammer. A small Crown-Broad Arrow inspection mark is present under the pan. Left breech with weak British military proofs, obverse stock with storekeeper's mark that appears to be dated 1803. Counterpane with contractor mark "IH." Lock with rounded, swan-neck cock. Sling swivels replaced, replacement iron ramrod. Reverse of butt stamped with unit identification that appears to read: "26 BN ? M No 204". The upper portion of the markings are not present due to the way the wood was struck. The mark seems to suggest 26th Battalion, unknown company, man #204. This does not appear to be a British Line Infantry marking and is likely a British colonial or militia mark. A solid example of 3rd Model Bess that could have seen service during the Napoleonic Wars or the War of 1812.

Condition: Good. Barrel with a thick brown patina and even pitting from poor storage. Lock cleaned to gray chemically with pitting but legible markings. Mechanically functional, moderately oxidized bore. Wood crisp with scattered bumps and dings.

EST $1000 - 2000...more

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Sold for: USD 1,400.00

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British Royal Navy Sea Service Musket

Lot # 18 (Sale Order: 18 of 370)      

.75 caliber, 37" pinned barrel, no S/N. Browned finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. 7" long, post-1777 "short sear spring" pattern lock engraved "TOWER" in an arc at the rear of the lock and with the {royal crown} over GR forward of the cock and with a faint crown inspection under the pan. Lock with integral fenced and bridled iron pan and rounded swan neck cock. Lower edge of lock with assembly mating mark \ / on the bottom edge of the lock plate. This same mating mark is present in the ramrod channel of the stock as well. Lock in original flint with the possibility that the cock may be a replacement. Barrel with traces of proofs on top of breech. Stock with illegible two letter mark on counterpane and weak storekeeper's mark in obverse butt that is not completely legible. Heavy brass furniture with typical flat "sea service"-style buttplate with thumb-shaped upper tang. Flat, 6.5" 2nd model type side plate, heavy triggerguard with short, bulbous finial. Iron screw plate forward of trigger for tang screw. Two brass ramrod thimbles without entry pipe in stock.  Stocked to within 4.5" of the muzzle without a forend cap or reinforcement band, bayonet lug on top of barrel 2" from muzzle. Stock of typical "Sea Service" configuration with heavy, wide, flat butt, a well defined rail along the comb and a moderate palm swell at the ramrod entry point. These "Sea Service" muskets were often made up from older parts from older model used or damaged infantry muskets. Thus older pattern furniture and repurposed barrels are not uncommon on muskets intended for use by the "Senior Service." A well used but scarce example of a British Sea Service Musket from the age of fighting sail.

Condition: Good. Metal with a mottled and modestly oxidized patina showing light to moderate pitting and only traces of markings on the barrel. Lock pitted with mostly legible markings. Mechanically functional, good bore that is dirty and pitted. Brass with a mellow golden patina. Stock very good and fairly crisp with numerous scattered dents and dings and some wood loss along the top edge of the forend on the reverse.

EST $1000 - 2000...more

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Springfield U.S. Model 1795 Type III Flintlock Musket

Lot # 19 (Sale Order: 19 of 370)      

.69 caliber, 45" smooth barrel, no S/N. Reconverted from percussion to flint. Braised brass front sight with bayonet lug on top of barrel. Flat-faced beveled edged hammer with straight spur.  Integral iron pan with straight frizzen and pointed spring. Rounded trigger guard.  Barrel shows "P/(EAGLE)/V" proofs and very faint "US" forward of tang. Barrel shows remnants from drum conversion.  Lockplate marked with script "US" over eagle and "SPRINGFIELD" with "1809" date.  Buttplate marked with matching date.  Faint script "US" cartouche rear of counterpane. Button ramrod. "LGH" carved in right side of stock alongside triggerguard.  

Condition: Good overall. Barrel has a mixed light plum and gray salt and pepper patination with some old pitting on lockplate and cock. Some pitting around breech from reconversion.  Some replaced parts of lock. Markings somewhat worn but legible. Stock shows some minor bruises and handling marks but free of serious cracks or splits. Mechanically functional.

EST $1000 - 1500...more

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British Royal Navy "Black" Sea Service Flintlock Musket w/ Bayonet

Lot # 20 (Sale Order: 20 of 370)      

.75 caliber, 42" barrel, no S/N. Browned finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. 6.875" long, post-1777 "short sear spring" pattern lock engraved TOWER in an arc at the rear of the lock and with the {royal crown} over GR forward of the cock and with a weak crown inspection under the pan. Lock with integral fenced and bridled iron pan and rounded swan neck cock. Interior of lock marked BW and with the assembly mating mark \\ \ / ||| on the bottom edge of the lock plate. This same mating mark is present in the ramrod channel of the stock as well. Lock in original flint with the possibility that the top jaw screw is an old, period of use replacement. Barrel with British military proof and inspection marks on top of breech, including a {Crown} / GR / {Broad Arrow} and crowned crossed scepters. Left of breech with */W barrel maker's mark and a weak crowned inspection mark near the touchhole. Stock with illegible two-letter mark on counterpane and weak dated storekeepers mark in obverse butt that is illegible. Heavy brass furniture with typical flat "sea service" style buttplate with thumb-shaped upper tang. Flat, 6.375" 2nd model type sideplate, heavy triggerguard with short, bulbous finial. Iron screw plate forward of trigger for tang screw. Two brass ramrod thimbles with .32" inner diameters for a wooden rod without entry pipe in stock. Upper pipe period modified with spring retention clip to secure an iron ramrod. Stocked to within 5.25" of the muzzle without a forend cap or reinforcement band. Stock of typical "Sea Service" configuration with heavy, wide, flat butt, a well defined rail along the comb and a moderate palm swell at the ramrod entry point. These "Sea Service" muskets were often made up from older parts from older model used or damaged infantry muskets. Thus older pattern furniture and repurposed barrels are not uncommon on muskets intended for use by the "Senior Service." This barrel appears to have been from a Long Land pattern musket that was shortened for use in the Sea Service Musket, as a pin tenon has been removed from the underside of the barrel about 7" from the muzzle. A bayonet lug is present 2.25" from the muzzle, sling selves are in place on the triggerguard bow and through the upper portion of the forend and an old iron trumpet head iron ramrod is present that appears an old replacement. Includes an original late model Brown Bess socket bayonet maker marked OUGHTON with a  {CROWN} / 31 inspection on the blade. Bayonet with a 17.75" blade and a 4" socket with heavy reinforcement ring at rear of socket. Bayonet fits the musket very well. Overall a very solid and scarce example of a British Sea Service Musket from the age of fighting sail.

Condition: Very good. Retains traces of an old, likely period applied brown, with an evenly oxidized brown appearance throughout. Some light pitting is present around the breech area. The touch hole shows light erosion, is well centered in the pan, is properly tapered and shows no indication of having been molested in any way. Lock remains functional with a weak frizzen spring and some light pitting on the lock plate that partially obscures some of the markings. Brass with a medium golden patina, stock near very good with some added finish and indications of sanding forward of the rear pipe, suggesting that this area has some repair and/or restoration. Balance of the stock appears to be void of repairs, although some minor cracking and chipping is present around the lock mortise and the stock may have been lightly sanded long ago, leaving the storekeeper's mark weak and slightly smeared.  Otherwise the wood shows the expected scattered bumps, dings and mars expected for a musket that was likely in service during the period of the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812. Bayonet very good with clear markings and a thick brown patina that appears to include old, dried grease.

EST $3000 - 6000...more

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Carved War of 1812 Boston Hussars Powder Horn,

Lot # 22 (Sale Order: 21 of 370)      

Inscription reads This horn belon[gs] to Ezra Keeler Boston Hussars in the year 1812 The City of Boston. Pair of cannons flanking the depiction of the town which consists of numerous homes and churches. Complete with wood plug in the spout. Overall length 9.5".

The Boston Hussars were organized October 29, 1810 as a company of cavalry in the 3rd Brig., 1st Div. of the Massachusetts Militia. The second part of this company was the Boston light Dragoons. Both divisions were under the command of Major Josiah Quincy.

Condition: Engraving is nice and crisp, Nice untouched patina with a yellow look. A small crack line on the bottom of the horn at the base running up the horn from the base, doesn't detract from the horn.

EST $1500 - 3000...more

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Johan Christoph Engraved Horn Dated Sept 2, 1780

Lot # 23 (Sale Order: 22 of 370)      

16.5" length, wood plug, turned spout with flutes. Engraved with "Johan Christoph Wolffskeec: Surgn, York Militia, Sept 2, 1780, Town, York" in a banner with rays coming from the sun, military motifs, geometric designs.

Very little, if any, concrete information could be found on Johan Christoph. Presumably, York refers to the York, Pennsylvania militia. If so, then Revolutionary War period rosters for the combined Washington, Westmoreland & York Militia are available on CD published originally in 1906 as Pennsylvania Archives, 6th Series Vol. II.

Condition: Turned spout is a modern replacement, horn has been cleaned at one time and has begun to re-patinate. A small chip at plug and two very old cracks. Wood plug has some scrapes as well as some nicks and dings.

EST $1500 - 3000...more

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Sold for: USD 1,400.00

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Engraved Powder Horn Attributed to Seth Van Matre July 4,1812

Lot # 24 (Sale Order: 23 of 370)      

12.5".  Carved rings on spout with copper pins.  Engraved with soldiers both mounted and on foot along with remnants of a ship.  Name of "SETH VAN MATRE" over "July, the, 4, 1812." 

Condition: Some fading to engravings and minor loss of detail. Some minor cracks to plug but is still holding tight. Some minor insect damage to uncarved area. 

EST $1500 - 2500...more

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Sold for: USD 1,100.00

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War of 1812 British Engraved Powder Horn

Lot # 25 (Sale Order: 24 of 370)      

War of 1812 British engraved powder horn that measures 10.5" through the curve.  Detailed engraving on the horn proper of a town with a variety of buildings including a British fort flying a Union Jack flag. Surrounding the buildings of the town and fort are very precise engravings of trees and bushes. Also, on the horn proper are two elaborately engraved ships being one British and one American with a 15 star flag. Near the recessed edge are several engraved Masonic symbols. Smooth throat and spout. Wood base and pegs.

Condition: This horn displays a very good yellowing patina through the horn proper. The throat, spout and base have a dark brown patina.  Horn has normal nicks and dings with the exception of one spot on the back of the horn which displays a gouge. This is a good horn that undoubtedly saw action on the British side of the War of 1812 and made its way back to the U.S. via our consignor. 

EST $3000 - 5000...more

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Sold for: USD 1,800.00

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French And Indian War Engraved Powder Horn

Lot # 26 (Sale Order: 25 of 370)      

10" length, engrailed edge, raised ring, wood plug. Engraved "First I was wore by an ox in full pride but now I am filled full of powder and wore by a soldier His horn 3 regt." Engraved with trees and vines and a man. A lion on both sides of a crown.

Condition: Horn has a nice untouched dark-to-yellow patina.

EST $1000 - 2000...more

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1.178.0.761.2502f97.10.90